When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, they’ll see Mounds View’s levy proposal on the ballot. For some, the specific ballot language – which is directed by law – may be confusing. So I’d like to offer a preview of what appears on the ballot and what the language means.

The ballot question proposes to revoke the District’s existing referendum revenue of $321.29 per pupil and to replace it with new authorization of $990 per pupil. This increase from $321 to $990 deserves some clarification.

* These amounts reflect the per pupil amount of money the district receives, not the per-taxpayer amount a property owner pays. If the levy is successful, residents will see an estimated annual tax increase of $76 for every $100,000 of their property’s taxable market value. As enrollment declines, the total cost to residents will decline.

* The jump from $321 to $990 might appear that the District is asking voters to triple their property taxes. This is not true. In fact, the existing levy is generating $321 per pupil and costs residents about $43 a year for every $100,000 of their taxable market value. In 2007-08, the cost increases by an estimated $76 a year per $100,000 if the levy is successful.

* If the levy is approved, the District will only receive $900 per pupil, not $990 per pupil, in 2007-08. Why? The School Board voted to expand its levy authority and to seek inflationary increases for four years (10 years maximum was possible). To secure these increases, Mounds View must report the $990 per-pupil figure on the ballot because a successful levy could eventually yield this amount.

If the levy is successful, the School Board will have the authority to receive the levy revenue each year, for the next eight years (10 years maximum was possible). Should the District’s financial situation improve during those eight years, the School Board can decide not to receive the levy revenue.

For a more detailed look at the actual ballot question, I encourage you to visit our levy web page at www.moundsviewschools.org/levy_06.asp  and click on the link called “What’s on the ballot?” I hope this information can help you make an informed decision on November 7.




Prepared and paid for by Mounds View Public Schools (Independent School District 621), 350 Highway 96 West, Shoreview, MN 55126. This message is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question.